smart has always been a pioneer in matters of urban mobility and
with the smart fortwo electric drive the company is showing the
direction of development in cities around the world. Together with
BASF, the largest automotive supplier in the chemical industry,
smart is demonstrating its leading role in the use of
forward-looking technologies above and beyond the drive system. The
joint concept vehicle smart forvision presented at the 2011
International Motor Show in Frankfurt combines a futuristic design
with technologies relating to energy efficiency, lightweight design
and temperature management.

"With the forvision
smart is doing justice to its role as Daimler's think tank for urban
mobility. We are presenting numerous world premieres that make
uncompromising electric mobility possible. With the clear objective
of greatly increasing the zero-emission range we concerned ourselves
with all factors that influence this on the vehicle. This resulted
in completely new concepts and materials in the areas of insulation,
reflection, lightweight design and energy management. In addition to
transparent organic solar cells, transparent and energy-saving
light-emitting diodes and infrared-reflective films and coatings,
high-performance foams are used for insulation against cold and
heat. smart is also setting new standards of lightweight design with
the use of the first all-plastic wheels", says Dr. Annette Winkler,
Head of smart. "In conjunction with smart's revolutionary DNA, we
have designed a vehicle that is so unique that we can't wait to take
it out of the research laboratory and onto the roads!"
"Cars of the future need materials and technologies which reduce
energy consumption whilst also increasing the range and level of
comfort. Our innovations make a decisive contribution to this", says
Dr. Christian Fischer, Head of BASF Polymer Research. "We are proud
to have developed a holistic concept for sustainable urban mobility
in cooperation with smart. Together we are presenting a pioneering
vehicle which is without parallel.

Thanks to the
combination of smart's automotive expertise and BASF's material and
system competence a vehicle has been created which showcases
technologies for sustainable and holistic electric mobility of the
future. The researchers and designers intentionally realised a
mixture of visionary materials and technologies in the concept
vehicle - some of these are still at a laboratory stage, while
others have a realistic chance of entering series production.

Energy efficiency: light and
energy from above

The hexagonal
transparent areas on the roof of the smart forvision are an
eye-catching feature – as the first light-transmitting roof that
also generates energy. Transparent solar cells covering the entire
roof surface are the technology used here. They are based on organic
dyes embedded in a sandwich roof. The transparent dyes of the solar
cells are light-activated. Even in diffused light and poor light
conditions they generate enough energy to power the multimedia
components and the three fans that assist with climate management in
the vehicle interior. If the vehicle is standing in the sun the
ventilation is permanently operated with the help of these solar
cells, keeping the car cool. This new photovoltaic technology opens
up further efficiency potential and the energy generated can be used
for further applications in the car.

There is an additional
new feature under the solar cells: transparent OLEDs (organic
light-emitting diodes) illuminate the vehicle interior when the door
is opened or a button pressed. When switched off they allow for a
clear view outside. This results in a glass roof effect during the
daytime, whilst the areas are pleasantly illuminated without any
dazzle at night. Thanks to a free choice of colours the new OLEDs do
not only offer more design freedom, they also consume less than half
as much energy as conventional energy-saving lamps.

Lightweight design: different,
better, stylish

In the smart forvision a
world first leads to a considerable weight reduction and a unique
design: the first all-plastic wheel suitable for high-volume
production. In its current development status, the wheel developed
by BASF from a new high-performance material results in a
considerable weight saving of three kilograms per wheel. Unlike
conventional polyamide composite materials this new plastic has long
reinforcing fibres which improve its mechanical properties. The
result: excellent thermal and chemical stability, dynamic strength,
toughness and good continuous operating characteristics. First
intensive product tests at smart show the performance capability of
the all-plastic wheel and confirm the potential for possible use in
production vehicles.

In addition to the
tridion passenger cell, further components such as the doors are
made of carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy resin – a high-performance
composite material. The use of such materials enables a weight
saving of more than 50 percent to be achieved compared with steel,
or 30 percent compared with aluminium. Thanks to short hardening
times the resin systems from BASF are also suitable for producing
larger volumes.

Heating: close to the body and
efficient

The multifunctional,
comfortable and lightweight seats in the smart forvision offer a
unique combination of efficient temperature management and an
energy-saving lightweight design. Here, several innovative products
are combined with one another for the first time. A new,
lightweight, self-supporting plastic seat shell forms the basis.

Numerous studies have
shown that the body only absorbs heat efficiently through certain
contact points. This is why "e-textiles" – thin fabrics with
custom-tailored conductive coatings – replace conventional seat
heating in the smart forvision. With direct heating close to the
body in the middle and lower back area of the seats they provide for
a pleasant feeling of warmth. The energy, space and weight-saving
e-textile technology is also found in the armrests of the doors and
ensures that body contact points sensitive to the cold are also
warmed in this area.

The innovations continue
with the seat foam, which provides for both comfort and weight
savings. The material from BASF is around 10 to 20 percent lighter
than other materials and enables different degrees of hardness to be
realised in different areas of the upholstery in a single work
operation – resulting in clear ergonomic advantages.

Superabsorbent
containing fleece fabric integrated in the seat greatly enhances
seating comfort through its passive climate control. Compared with
conventional climate-controlled seats the lightweight seat in the
smart forvision does not have the complexity and energy requirement
of mechanical ventilation.

Temperature management: heat stays
outside

As a large amount of
energy is needed to air condition and heat a vehicle, temperature
management was a key focus area for the smart and BASF researchers.
A whole package of measures has been implemented in the smart
forvision to ensure more efficient air conditioning of the vehicle.
At the same time they make energy-intensive heating of the whole
interior superfluous.
A heat shield that has not been previously used for automotive
applications consists of a new kind of infrared-reflective film from
BASF applied in the windscreen and side windows, protecting the car
interior from heating up. Integrated between the panes of the safety
glass the metal-free film ensures that the infrared rays are
effectively reflected. Thanks to its high transparency in the
visible range it can also be applied to tinted windows and
guarantees an unprecedented level of reflection of sunlight and
heat. Unlike metallized films, which are already used in some
vehicles, the new film reflects only the infrared rays of the sun.
Radio waves needed to use GPS, Bluetooth, mobile phones or for toll
collection pass through the glass unhindered.

The high-performance
foams from BASF fitted in the bodypanels also provide for a pleasant
climate inside the car. They keep the vehicle pleasantly cool in
summer and also insulate it against the cold in winter. Thanks to
their high efficiency even in a small width, they can be fitted
everywhere in the vehicle. With this innovative insulation system in
the smart forvision, the two companies are breaking new ground in
the automotive sector.

Cool coatings – cool interior

The infrared-reflective
and extremely scratch-resistant coating system covers two important
aspects at once. Firstly, it supports the extensive temperature
management system and, secondly, the brilliant and high-quality look
of the coating underlines the unique design of the smart forvision.
The concept vehicle features a white special-effect coating with
glass flakes that create a gleaming metallic look. An important side
effect: the colour white reflects heat rays from sun and light
particularly well. But even surfaces coated with dark colours stay
much cooler thanks to special colour pigments from BASF. They ensure
that heat radiation is reflected rather than absorbed. This leads to
a temperature reduction of up to 20 degrees Celsius on the paint
surface and of up to approximately four degrees in the vehicle
interior.

Futuristic design trendsetter

Painted in pearl white
and accentuated by the tridion safety cell coated with a copper-coloured
liquid metal paint, there is a deliberate connection between the
basic structure of the smart forvision and the design of the smart
fortwo. Trendy yet high quality – the aluminium flakes in the liquid
metal paintwork create a reflecting surface on the safety cell,
changing between light and dark depending on the viewer's
perspective. Both the panels and the cell of the smart forvision are
additionally painted with an extremely scratch-resistant clear coat.

The faceted side doors
with integrated door openers are a real eye-catcher. Here, plastic
is presented in a new, expressive and three-dimensional form; a
reinterpretation that is only possible at smart thanks to the
consistent use of plastic. The precise facets give the area
stability and enable a smaller material thickness to be used.
Optimal use is made of the possibilities offered by plastic as a
material. In contrast, the front and rear have a softer design with
smooth transitions from the doors. Just as the integrated door
handle does not need an additional component, the familiar smart air
inlet is represented by small hexagons located right on the outer
skin.

The jet-like rear lights
are reminiscent of small aircraft turbines and give the rear a
futuristic and sporty look. Inside the lights, small propellers
convey the air from the inside to the outside. In addition to all
the light functions needed, transparent stacks in the form of rings
around the lights also show the charge status of the battery during
charging.

The headlamps are
emphasised by a ring comprising the daytime driving lights and
indicator functions. The lights add to the likeable expression of
the smart forvision.

Doors open to the future

With a mix of polygonal
surfaces and organic shapes the interior of the smart forvision
builds a bridge to the architectural design handwriting of the
exterior. This also applies to the colour concept: a cool white
dominates in the interior as well, accentuated by the inner part of
the instrument panel in liquid copper. Hexagons in the form of white
rubber nubs on a white floor are a reference to the design idiom of
the overall vehicle, as is the tone-in-tone design of the seat
upholstery.

The faceted surface of
the side doors is also found on their inside. The polygonal surfaces
with integrated armrests and stowage compartments curve into the
interior. They are painted in the body colour and feature coloured
LEDs. These guide the driver with a light animation running from the
outside to the inside when the door is opened and closed. After
closing the door the animation changes to unobtrusive ambient
lighting.

The elliptical user
interface with a copper coloured frame – matching the lightweight
tridion – is semi-transparent when switched off. When the vehicle is
switched on all cockpit information is then projected onto the
transparent surface. The driver uses a touchscreen to switch between
operating menus.

The white steering wheel
that is reminiscent of an aircraft yoke additionally gives the
cockpit a futuristic look. As well as function buttons the LED
display for the battery charge status is found here.

Forward-looking technologies

The smart forvision not
only shows that electric mobility can make emission-free driving
possible. At the same time, it paves the way for new technologies in
the automotive sector. Many of these innovations are based on nano
technology, the key to the development of sustainable solutions.
Nano materials serve as drivers of innovation in the automotive
industry, as they do in the fields of construction, energy,
healthcare and electronics.

The total of all
technologies integrated in the concept vehicle make a perceptible
contribution to increasing the range.

This is always at the
centre of discussions relating to battery-electric driven vehicles.
With maximum energy efficiency, intelligent temperature management
and consistent lightweight construction it is possible to increase
the range by up to 20 percent. An additional bonus for electric
mobility of the future.